Mandala Murders

Mandala Murders (2025) : Series Review -

Mandala Murders is an ambitious and compelling attempt to blend science, police procedural, and mystical horror into a dark and gripping thriller. Spanning eight tightly packed episodes and over five hours of runtime, the series takes viewers on a suspenseful ride that never loses momentum. At its core, it's a battle between reason and belief, between logic and legend-set against the backdrop of a terrifying myth called Yast (a monster). If you're willing to suspend disbelief and give in to the power of an ancient supernatural force, Mandala Murders delivers an experience that's more than just entertaining-it's haunting. Based on The Butcher of Benaraz, the series uses its source material to create a world that's eerie, fantastical, and disturbingly plausible. Each episode ends with a slight twist or misconception that keeps the viewer engaged and guessing, making it binge-worthy in the truest sense. The creators skillfully sprinkle just enough misdirection to keep curiosity piqued without ever overwhelming the narrative.

The story kicks off with a peculiar murder that bears a strange symbol. As more murders unfold, it becomes clear that they are all linked-each victim is killed for a specific body part. These ritualistic killings are part of a sinister process meant to culminate in the creation of a monstrous entity, a Frankenstein-like being powered not just by science but also by black magic and religious fanaticism. The entity, Yast, is believed to be a dark god whose birth will signal the end of the world as we know it. CIB Officer Rea Thomas (Vaani Kapoor) is assigned to investigate these bizarre deaths. She is joined by a disgraced Delhi cop, Vikram (Vaibhav Raj Gupta), who also has a person interest in the case. The duo embarks on a journey that takes them deep into the heart of ancient cults, forgotten rituals, black magic, and a world where beliefs can be deadlier than bullets.

Surveen Chawla plays Ananya Bhardwaj, a powerful political figure who influences the course of the investigation. She immediately points fingers at a pair of local brothers, accusing them of committing the first murder. But as the narrative unfolds, it becomes evident that nothing is as it seems, and almost every character is entangled in the deadly prophecy. The idea that eight specific murders must occur-each claiming a different body part-is chilling and symbolic. This Frankenstein-esque concept, while rooted in horror and myth, is treated with seriousness and sincerity, making it eerily believable.

The world of Mandala Murders is meticulously constructed. Avinash Dwivedi, Chirag Garg, and others create an atmosphere steeped in tension, history, and fear. The dark caves, mysterious yantras (mystical machines), cryptic symbols, and ancient texts are all designed to immerse you in a realm where the line between the real and the unreal is blurred. It almost feels like watching Veerana or Purana Mandir mixed with Frankestein-but with a modern update and a far more intelligent script.

One of the show's biggest strengths is that every character has a purpose. None of them feel redundant, and each one contributes meaningfully to the unraveling mystery. This cohesion in character writing is rare in ensemble thrillers. The finale may be somewhat predictable, especially for seasoned web series fans, but it still manages to pack a punch. As the pieces of the puzzle come together-past traumas, scientific experiments, supernatural legends-the payoff is satisfying.

Vaani Kapoor shines in her action-heavy role as Rea Thomas. While she falters a bit in emotionally intense scenes, she makes up for it with her physicality and screen presence. In her own words, this may not be War (2019), but it certainly gives her a War-like action palette. She kicks ass when needed and commands the frame well. Surveen Chawla, on the other hand, is exceptional. Her portrayal of Ananya is layered, nuanced, and powerful-a career-best performance that adds gravitas to the narrative. Vaibhav Raj Gupta is rock-solid as Vikram, bringing intensity and needed frustration to his role. His rugged physics will likely win over a new fan base, especially among female viewers. Shriya Pilgaonkar delivers a standout performance as Rukmini, and her costume design deserves a special mention-it's both beautiful and haunting. Aditi Pohankar slips into a Tomb Raider-like mode with ease, bringing flair and confidence. Sukhiya Aiyar, Raghubeer Yadav, and Jameel Khan all deliver impressive performances, while Saurabh Dubey's makeup and dialogue delivery enhance the horror element. Sharat Sonu blends seamlessly into the ensemble, helping elevate the entire acting unit. The rest of cast only adds more weight to it.

On the technical front, Mandala Murders punches above its weight. Despite having a moderate budget, the production values are commendable. The art direction, especially the depiction of sacred caves, blood-soaked rituals, intricate machines, and cultish set pieces, is on point. The cinematography does its job effectively, though it doesn't quite reach the haunting elegance one might expect from a show of this genre. It's functional, but not visionary. One noticeable weak link is the background score. A show like Mandala Murders, which leans so heavily on tension and atmosphere, could have greatly benefited from a chilling and memorable soundtrack. The absence of an impactful score leaves some scenes feeling flatter than they should. On the other hand, the editing is slick and maintains a fast pace throughout, which helps retain the viewer's engagement. The dialogues are straightforward-sometimes too on-the-nose-but given the genre, subtlety isn't always necessary.

Directors Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat deserve applause for staying true to the vision. They don't just present a murder mystery-they invite the audience into a world where science, faith, and fear coexist. The seamless weaving of modern police work with ancient occult practices is no easy feat, but they manage it with finesse. The ending leans slightly towards preachiness, but nothing that derails the overall experience. Ultimately, Mandala Murders may divide opinions. Some may question the belief systems it portrays or the liberties it takes with logic and realism. But as a fictional crime thriller dipped in supernatural horror, it works quite well. It's not groundbreaking or flawless, but it's certainly a cut above the usual fare in Indian web series. For those who enjoy fictionally mystical thrillers, cult mysteries, and horror-laced investigations, Mandala Murders is worth the ride. It's dark, imaginative, and just believable enough for the time being.

RATING - 6/10*

All actors deliver commendable performances, making the characters feel real and engaging. The screenplay is smooth, backed by impressive cinematography and good direction. Although the plot feels somewhat predictable and similar to past thrillers, it still holds attention. A decent one-time watch.gr.

I should really appreciate the fact that creators thought of doing something different but it could not be depicted on the screen. The screenplay was plagued with same old sequences of borrowed lores from different places. A mystery that never really gives a satisfaction of unfolding, a suspense that hardly is a surprise, a poetic ending that a bit too easy and character arches that hardly have any depth at all. The show tries to become too much at the same time opening so many narratives that are not even necessary. Apart from a few sequences that Vani could do justice to the whole series looks like a collage of cameos with amazingly average and out-of-place casting. I really wished the show could have been what I was hoping it to be, but it's just sad to see that despite having good stories we are so bad at the execution.

I am hopeful we will get to watch a better one next time.

Vaani Kapoor is such a bad actor that I was rooting for the bad guys to win. Everyone else has done a good job.

Looks like there will be a part two. A Desi Stranger things Mandala Murders is an ambitious thriller. It blends myth and crime with good visuals, but its convoluted plot and uneven pacing can be a bit boring. Worth a watch for occult mystery fans.

I had high hopes because this was from YRF and on Netflix, but Mandala Murders just feels like a confused, overcooked mess. Every episode brings in a new character, more timelines, more flashbacks - and instead of building the story, it just gets more tangled. It feels like they wanted to copy a bit from Stranger Things, Suzhal, Sacred Games, and some international thrillers, but forgot to create their own unique voice.

The writing is weak. The character arcs are random - people act without any proper reason or build-up. Some scenes feel so forced that you can literally see the writer/director pushing it just to make it "cool." The sequences are badly edited, the emotional beats don't land, and the acting - although sincere - gets wasted in this chaos.

Too many inspirations + no clarity = perfect khichdi.

Also, Anurag Kashyap had once rightly said:

"What's not on screen can't be cinema to them. The biggest problem with YRF is the trial room effect." This series is a prime example of that. Feels like it was made more in a boardroom than in a writer's room.

Visually, yes, it looks good. Some locations and costumes work. But what's the point if the story doesn't engage?